Department advertises roles for savvy senior managers to oversee supplier engagements

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The Department for Work and Pensions is seeking two senior leaders to manage commercial activities across a range of major digital and technology programmes.

The Government Commercial Function – which serves as a central employer for government procurement specialists – is currently recruiting for two senior category manager posts to be based in the DWP’s commercial team focused on digital services and projects. The successful candidates will each report into the head of that team, Liz Johnstone, and will earn as much as £94,000 a year – plus a potential performance bonus of up to 15%.

One of the roles will be dedicated to tech procurement and supplier relationships related to the Universal Credit programme and the delivery of other working-age benefits. This post also includes oversight of spending on digital professional services, shared platforms, and application services.

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The second senior category manager position will include management of commercial activity in support of the department’s Shared Channels Experience programme to improve online citizen services. Other responsibilities will include managing procurement of hybrid cloud and enterprise software.

“We require driven, dynamic leaders who can deliver commercial solutions at pace,” the job advert says. “You will provide commercial advice, leadership and guidance to your team and senior DWP stakeholders across a large portfolio of work in Digital Group, working to challenging time scales; delivering core IT services as well as supporting transformation activities. You will be a self-starter and will demonstrate strong commercial knowledge and understanding of the procurement process and the Cabinet Office Sourcing Playbook and, work in accordance with the DWP commercial operating model. You will be motivated to achieve best value for money by implementing best practice commercial activity and working closely with colleagues across the digital delivery team and the wider commercial directorate.”

Applications for the positions are open until 11.55pm on 15 February. The chosen applicants will be based in one of the DWP’s locations in Birmingham, Manchester, Blackpool, or Leeds, with additional travel across the UK likely to be required.